Abra Hall, a 26 Year Old Brain Cancer Patient Needs Help With Treatment Costs by Abra Hall

- In June, I started to lose vision in my right eye. I saw an eye doctor locally who said it was a swelling in my optic nerve which could be caused by many things. The doctor recommended I see someone who knows a little more about the issue that I was having, so they sent me to Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute in Centralia. The doctor said pretty much the same thing - optic nerve swelling, could be Multiple Sclerosis, could be a tumor, could be nothing...and then referred me to a neurophthalmologist in Seattle for further testing.
I saw the specialist in early July, did an MRI, and found a mass on my optic nerve. The doctor aid it was a tumor, but that it was definitely, *DEFINITELY* benign (meaning non-cancerous). The doctor was so sure that it was not cancer that he decided to just treat me himself with at-home steroid injections (which had no effect), and after seeing him again 3 weeks later, I did another MRI which showed that the tumor had grown, my vision had worsened, and this delayed my treatments by about 3 weeks. I was then referred to a neurosurgeon at the Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment. The neurosurgeon I saw ordered another MRI, and although he also agreed the tumor was benign, because of my worsening vision, he suggested we do an open craniotomy to biopsy the tmor. At this point I was also informed that the tumor is inoperable so they can't remove it, but they would need to take a piece to test to just MAKE SURE it wasn't cancer. I go and see the neurosurgeon, set up my surgery date, and wait. By this point, my right eye had gone completely blind and I was told there was no way that the damage could be reversed.
On August 3, I underwent the surgery and biopsy...and that benign tumor they were SO sure was benign ended up being malignant (cancerous).
I was diagnosed with a stage III (stage IV is the absolute worst, most aggressive form) astrocytoma. Primary brain cancer. Specifically, a glioma which is a nerve tumor. Because of the location, my left eye will likely also go completely blind if we can't stop the growth of the tumor. I just had an MRI about a week ago and it has grown by 40% within a month.
We are putting chemotherapy and radiation on hold right now. I am in Texas currently until September 26th doing this alternative, non-toxic treatment before I do anything else that will make me sick and make my hair fall out and possibly not solve the problem at all. The worst case scenario right now is nothing happens at all, and I will continue with another form of treatment. A lot of people who die from cancer die from the effects of radiation, not the cancer itself. Also, if I do radiation, the doctor said because of where the tumor is located, it will destroy my pituitary gland, I will not be able to have children, I will go into menopause and I will definitely lose my other eye. I want to try and prevent these problems if at all possible, hence why I am taking this route in the first place.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for any help you can provide.

Here is another story provided from my grandfather:

"My 26 year old grand daughter was recently (within the past few months) diagnosed with an inoperable stage III (possibly IV) malignant astrocytoma located on her optic nerve and it growing into the optic chasm. Within approximately a month, MRI's showed that the tumor had grown by 40%. It is extremely aggressive; The first sign that Abra experienced was loss of sight in her right eye....she went blind. The tumor's growing very quickly and my daughter, thru her employer, borrowed money to begin treatment with Dr Burzynski in Houston. She's there now and is scheduled to leave on the 26th to return home to Washington State. Abra's sight in her good eye is now getting worse. A major problem with Burzynski is the cost and unless you're wealthy you're prevented from completing, much less starting, his treatments so we're interested in trying to get as much assistance from any outside source we can possibly accumulate. She will need to be on treatments continuously for at least a year, and these treatments will cost on average about $8,500 per month. Any and all help is greatly appreciated"

24 Comments

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hey abra...just wanted to leave a comment wishing you the best =) better late then never right?

posted by Jason Appleby 1 month ago

Abra, I had no idea....I just saw all of this and read once I was invited to it. We don't know each other that well but we went to the same highschool. I am praying for you strength during this time and do know that God will heal you! I am keeping you in my prayers darlin and will be posting this on my facebook page right now. xoxo Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you. Fight it girlfriend!!! Many blessings, Alicia Gonzales

posted by Alicia Gonzales 7 months ago

Abra, I don't know you directly, but Terry and Bre are my dear friends. I donated last night to help with your treatment. It wasn't much, but it was something and I am going to post the crap out of Facebook with this page.

posted by Molly Hill 7 months ago

You got this Abra, kick it in the ass and stay strong we are all praying for you!

posted by Megan Dupree 7 months ago

The benefit concert that I am personally putting on is on November 3rd so anyone that can come please do, all the door money (and any extra donated) goes to Abra's cause and 20% of all food sales. The event is has a page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/event s/480294875344371/ any bands that want to play please contact me (Leon House) on Facebook or Abra.

posted by Leon House 7 months ago

Take care Abra my prayers are with you.

posted by Patrick Zandecki 7 months ago

I'm sorry that I spilled beer on your school book that one time. Hoping any little thing will cheer you up! You can beat this thing! Just stay positive and know that we're all here for you.

posted by Brittany Potts 7 months ago

Be strong!You are loved,and you will get through this as a winner!

posted by Tomislav Borg Dobrijevic 7 months ago

Hey Abra, I wish you the best of luck. Stay strong and keep ur head up. I will do what I can to help

posted by Samantha Snell 7 months ago

HUGS TO YOU BB!

posted by Danielle DeMaris 8 months ago

HUH ... THAT WAS A LAME COMMENT I LEFT V V V DOWN THERE... WAS TRYING TO SAY I GOT FAITH IN YOU ...I HEART YOU !!!!!!!

posted by Charissa Shamley 8 months ago

Stay strong girl, I am talking with my boss to see if we can host the bands and put donation jars up for you, if we host a fundraiser we will be able to make money for you, I love you Abra

posted by Heather Stroud 8 months ago

Abra, my dear friend Billy, aka Ditch, shared this with me. He lived with me and cared for me when I first learned about my own brain tumor which also affected my optic nerve, although mine is in the pituitary gland. Although "benign" he knows and I do that this word did not mean it wasn't benign to fear and reduction in your quality of life, ability to work and live your life on your own terms. Now, you are faced with malignancy. I cannot imagine the fear you must be feeling. It sounds like you have the best healing tool there is...love and support. On payday, and on every payday after that, I'm sending you what I can. You have hope, something can be done and you will get through this. Never ever give up hope, girl. If you need someone to lean on...I'm good ears. Find me through here, or through Ditch.

posted by Lisa Bonner 8 months ago

Love you abra!!!!!!! You can beat this in its face!

posted by Amanda Martin 8 months ago

Praying for you sweetie! Stay Strong! Gods got you:)

posted by Elizabeth Scott 8 months ago

I will spread the word and get your page around as much as I can and will donate as soon as I can afford it. I love you Abra and wish you all the best with everything. *hugs*

posted by Leon House 8 months ago

Thank you so much for all the support, everyone!

posted by Abra Cadaver 8 months ago

http://www.facebook.com/AbrasS upportPage Feel free to send Abra well wishes, share jokes and make her smile here. We are all here with ya girlie. You are so very loved!

posted by Dawn Lawson 8 months ago

I may not be able to help financially as much as I wish- but I promise to spread the word and before you know it help will come from those you do not even know.. Be strong, have faith, and know there are so many out there who love you!

posted by Jineen Allyson 8 months ago

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In June, I started to lose vision in my right eye. I saw an eye doctor locally who said it was a swelling in my optic nerve which could be ... more

<3 you Abra!!! You will get there! In my heart always =)

Thinking of you Abra and praying for good results in the near future. Michelle(Ryan Frazier's aunt)

Sending prayers, Abra... you are a strong and competent woman and you deserve the best.